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Biomedical subjects

J R Meerschaert

Publications and source records attributed to J R Meerschaert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The lumbar herniated disk of pregnancy: a report of six cases identified by magnetic resonance imaging.

Although the mechanical and positional stresses of pregnancy are the primary inciting factors contributing to lumbosacral pain accompanying gestation, in approximately 1:10,000 cases a herniated disk (HNP) can be identified as the proximal cause of pain. Six patients are described, all of whom without antecedent history of pain presented with acute, disabling, gestational lumbosacral, and sciatic radiculopathy. Their ages ranged from 29 to 36, their parity from 0 to 1, and their gestational age at onset of symptoms from 6 weeks to 32 weeks. Each by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was identified as having an HNP, 2 at the L4-5 level and 4 at the L5-S1 level. During pregnancy, an MRI evaluation permits a detailed spinal examination without the ionizing effects of x-ray and its acknowledged biological risk to the developing fetus. This potential for an immediate and accurate diagnosis has significant implications for the management and subsequent planning of delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Orthostatic tremor: delayed onset following head trauma.

Orthostatic tremor is a 14 to 16Hz (range 7 to 36Hz) tremor of uncertain etiology elicited within seconds of an isometric contraction. It is described as a shaking, cramping of the lower extremities upon standing and is relieved with movement or sitting. Typically patients are unable to stand in place for long periods of time secondary to instability and fatigue. A 73-year-old woman with orthostatic tremor following a history of head trauma is presented. Recognition of the characteristic history and electromyographic findings may lead to appropriate treatment for this annoying and sometimes incapacitating disorder.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Electromyographic detection of paraspinal muscle metastasis. Correlation with magnetic resonance imaging.

Electromyographic (EMG) examination demonstrating marked segmental compromise of the posterior primary ramus distal to the spinal root with relative sparing of the anterior ramus may be the earliest objective evidence of paraspinal muscle metastasis. Antecedent studies are often initially normal, failing to disclose the underlying cause of back pain. Although paraspinal muscle metastasis has been histopathologically demonstrated at postmortem, attempts to image the suspected malignancy with computed tomography have been unsuccessful because the tumor in muscle remains isodense. This study reports the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to substantiate the existence of EMG-suspected paraspinal muscle metastasis. An EMG pattern of segmental posterior primary ramus denervation is not pathognomonic of metastasis. A confirmatory MRI, however, does permit earlier treatment with palliative radiation therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Intermittent cervical traction: a progenitor of lumbar radicular pain.

Twelve patients treated with cervical traction for complaints of cervical radicular pain subsequently developed lumbar radicular discomfort. Intermittent cervical traction therapy had been initiated at 15 pounds and increased to 30 pounds. Lumbar spine roentgenographs in four patients demonstrated a transitional lumbar vertebrae and ten patients had evidence of spinal osteoarthritis with associated degenerative changes. Abnormal electroneuromyographs were found in four patients. In two additional patients with normal electromyographs, the spinal evoked potentials were asymmetrically slowed suggesting chronic lumbar root compromise. The onset of lumbar radiculopathy after intermittent cervical traction suggests that axial tension induced in the spinal cord's dural coverings can be transmitted to lumbar nerve roots. When these structures are tethered by anatomic variants and/or associated degenerative changes, spinal root excursion may be limited, and lumbar pain may be precipitated by traction.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Low back pain as the presenting symptom of metastatic angiosarcoma.

A case is presented of a patient with the chief complaint of low back pain, who subsequently was found to have lumbar metastatic angiosarcoma. This report emphasizes the need for a thorough medical evaluation in all instances of radicular low back pain. The characteristics of metastatic intramedullary spinal cord tumor are outlined.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1989

Computer-generated headache. Brachiocephalgia at first byte.

Twenty-four women employed as computer operators were evaluated for complaints of occipital headaches, as well as neck and shoulder pain. Although the symptoms were highly variable with respect to duration, intensity and distribution, they were mutually consistent in that they started or intensified with the resumption of the work week. The patients varied in age from 25 to 58 with a median average of 48 years. Fifteen demonstrated radiographic evidence of cervical degenerative disc disease and in an additional four, electromyographic evidence of cervical root compromise was present. Multiple precipitating factors were identified in Monday's headache including the predisposing presence of unrecognized impairment of visual acuity in 4 and cervical radiculopathy in 16. Mechanically, prolonged postural cervical hyperextension frequently combined with repetitive head rotation appeared to trigger the discomfort complaints. Undue elevation of the CRT screen, prolonged copying of laterally displaced hard copy, the wearing of bifocals, as well as seating either excessively soft or with a tendency to pitch the operator forward were identified as additional aggravating factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Airport induced "cervical traction" radiculopathy: the OJ syndrome.

The escalation of airline travel compounded by federal deregulation, fostering crowded airports, delayed flights, and inconvenient gate scheduling, has forced the frequent flyer to run from one gate to another, carrying heavy under-the-seat bags. Eleven busy executive, nine men and two women, developed cervical radicular pain complaints associated with weakness and painful dysesthesias in the involved extremity. Four had right C6 root symptoms and seven had left C7 complaints. All had evidence, by x-ray, of cervical degenerative disc disease and three had abnormal electromyograms. Treatment, consisting of intermittent cervical traction after moist heat, as well as a modification of their travel habits including the use of a folding wheeled cart, in every instance resolved these complaints.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Electromyographic evidence of inferior gluteal nerve compromise: an early representation of recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

Lumbosacral or primary buttock pain and cutaneous anesthesia in the distribution of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve were the initial symptoms in 5 patients later proven to have extensions of previously resected colorectal malignancy. The initial electromyographic impression of an inferior gluteal nerve mononeuropathy associated with recurrent neoplasia was confirmed by a positive colon biopsy in 1 case and widespread pelvic metastasis demonstrated at laparotomy in the 4 remaining cases. Four of the 5 patients also had increased levels of carcinoembryonic antigen. Roentgenographs and other laboratory data were otherwise normal in all 5 cases. Entrapment of the inferior gluteal nerve and the accompanying posterior femoral cutaneous nerves is facilitated by its medial, intrapelvic fixation at its origin from the sciatic nerve and the crowding effect of the piriformis muscle above, the dorsal rim of the sciatic notch behind and the inferior gluteal vessels and nodes below. The demonstration of hypestesia over the inferior lateral buttock and a concomitant history of colorectal malignancy should alter the examiner to the possible presence of an inferior gluteal nerve neuropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Breast pain: a symptom of cervical radiculopathy.

Eighteen women, all of whom had extensive but noninformative breast evaluations, including 10 mammograms and 4 biopies, were successfully treated by cervical traction for chronic breast pain. Each patient had distinct clinical or electromyographic evidence of cervical root compromise. Fifteen had roentgenographic evidence of cervical spondylosis, primarily at levels C6 and C7. Cervical angina, as a symptom constellation produced by cervical radiculopathy and mimicking coronary ischemic disease, is a well-defined entity. Less well recognized is persistent breast pain as a primary presenting symptom of cervical root compromise. In both instances, the early identification of the cervical radicular origin of the pain, with its quite different prognosis and associated therapeutic implications, can promptly help to allay the patient's physical and psychologic discomfort. The pathologic mechanism of pain production and the anatomic pattern of referral are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Symphyseal and sacroiliac joint pain associated with pubic symphysis instability.

Fifty patients presenting with lumbosacral and inguinal pain were examined by routine clinical radiographic and electromyographic evaluations. All were without antecedent history of major pelvic trauma or spinal surgery but demonstrated evidence of pubic symphysis instability. Slip between the pubic rami in excess of 2 mm could be demonstrated in each with alternate leg weight bearing. Asymmetry of hip mobility on the symptomatic side with a reduction in abduction and external rotation was present in 20 patients. An approach to treatment of pain associated with pubic symphyseal and associated sacroiliac joint instability is described, combining both intraarticular steroids, lumbosacral supports and physical therapy modalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Metastatic disease of the paraspinal muscles: electromyographic and histopathologic correlation in early detection.

Electromyographic examination may demonstrate severe segmental compromise of the posterior primary ramus and relative sparing of the anterior ramus as the earliest objective evidences of spinal and paraspinal metastases. Antecedent studies, including roentgenographic, radioisotopic and neurologic investigations, are often initially normal, failing to reveal the underlying cause of the progressive back pain. The present report demonstrates metastatic spread both through the paravertebral venous plexus and by direct extension in contiguous muscle. In this special instance, segmental 4+ fibrillations in the paraspinal muscles are electrophysiologic manifestations of a local, active process of denervation rather than a remote effect of the malignant disease, as has been suggested by others.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1977

Carotid bruits: their significance in the cervical radicular syndrome.

Routine physical examination of 600 patients referred with complaints of neck or shoulder pain included auscultation of both carotid and subclavian arteries. A treatment regimen including consideration of therapeutic cervical traction was precluded in 11 patients when unilateral carotid bruits were heard. Subsequent testing including radioisotopic carotid blood flow studies, and arteriography demonstrated 1 thoracic outlet syndrome, 1 arteriovenous malformation, 1 scarring secondary to radical neck dissection, 1 extrinsic pressure from an epidermoid carcinoma, 5 partial carotid occlusions secondary to intra-arterial plaque formation, and 2 normal carotid contrast studies. Successful surgery in all five of the stenotic patients and in the case of arteriovenous malformation aborted what might have otherwise been a less satisfactory outcome.

Adult↗